Sometimes it’s swinging, sometimes it’s jumping, sometimes it’s building. Brooklyn’s play therapy sessions with DePaul therapist Kim look different every time, but the goal of the sessions is still the same—to create a safe, welcoming, and fun space where Brooklyn can learn to manage her big feelings and become more independent.
“This has definitely exceeded my expectations,” said Nikki, Brooklyn’s mom. “The experience has been nothing but wonderful. My daughter has grown in so many ways since starting services with Kim.”
Nikki and her husband started looking into counseling services in hopes of helping Brooklyn have an easier transition to preschool. After lots of searching and finding waitlist after waitlist, they were thrilled to hear that DePaul’s program would welcome them immediately.
“I knew I wanted to get her help, but we were having such a hard time finding somewhere who would accept her within a short amount of time,” said Nikki. “By the end of the very first appointment, I knew this is where we needed to be. Each time we go, things just get better and better.”
According to the Association for Play Therapy, toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s language during play therapy. Through play, therapists may help children learn more adaptive behaviors when there are emotional or social skill issues. Through play therapy, children can reduce their anxiety, improve communication and social skills, learn to express their feelings, develop coping strategies, build problem-solving skills, and more.
“Play is the language of children and how they learn,” said Kim. “Brooklyn has made such great strides toward her goals utilizing a safe and free environment to process her emotions and needs using the language of play.”
Through generous grant funding, DePaul has been able to grow its play therapy program and support Kim as she explores this creative therapeutic tool with children and families. Hope and belonging can come in many forms; it can look different for everybody. But it’s clear by the smile on Brooklyn’s face that no matter what it looks like, providing hope and belonging for those in need always makes a powerful, positive impact.
“DePaul has been so welcoming and helpful to our family, and we are forever grateful,” said Nikki. “I would absolutely encourage other parents to try counseling services at DePaul. They would quickly see, as we did, how it could change their child’s life.”